Cambodia's Hun Sen kicks off campaign for virtually unopposed election

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen and president of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) attends an election campaign for the upcoming national election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 1, 2023. REUTERS/Cindy Liu

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Saturday commenced his ruling party's campaign for an election later this month - a poll that has been criticised as a sham after the main opposition party was prevented from running.

The 70-year-old strongman, who has ruled the Southeast Asian nation of 16 million for four decades, spoke before a crowd in the capital of Phnom Penh. He stood beside his son Hun Manet, who is also a candidate in the polls and widely tipped as his successor.